Container closure

ABSTRACT

In a preferred embodiment, a container with a container closure, including: the container ( 20 ); at least one foam insert ( 50 ) disposed between surfaces ( 30 ) of the container; a lid ( 40 ); and at least one tab member ( 60 ) disposed on the lid ( 40 ) and insertable through a slot ( 62 ) formed in one of the surfaces ( 30 ) into the at least one foam insert ( 50 ) such as to close the container ( 20 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to container closures generally, and more particularly, to a novel container closure that is extremely simple.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Containers have been used past recorded history. Such containers have been closed by means of clasps, buttons, snaps, zippers, ties, glue, and all sorts of other closure means. A principle disadvantage of such known closure means is that they generally require addition of an element to the closure. A further disadvantage of such known closure means is that they frequently are subject to wear and the container must subsequently be either discarded or a relatively unsatisfactory repair must be made to the closure means. Another disadvantage of known closure means is that they are often not aesthetically pleasing. An additional disadvantage of known container closures is that they can be relatively bulky. Yet another disadvantage of known container closures is that they can be difficult or at least relatively time consuming to open and close.

[0003] Accordingly, it is a principle object of the present invention is to provide a container closure that is simple in construction

[0004] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a container closure that has a long life.

[0005] It is an additional object of the present invention to provide such a container closure that is aesthetically pleasing.

[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide such a container closure that is economical to construct.

[0007] It is yet a further object of the invention to provide such a container closure that is relatively easy to open and close.

[0008] It is yet an additional object of the invention to provide such a container closure that is relatively compact.

[0009] Other objects of the present invention will be elucidated in or made apparent from the following description and drawing figures.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0010] The present invention achieves the above objects, among others, by providing, in a preferred embodiment, a container with a container closure, comprising: said container; at least one foam insert disposed between surfaces of said container; a lid; and at least one tab member disposed on said lid and insertable through a slot formed in one of said surfaces into said at least one foam insert such as to close said container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Understanding of the present invention and the various aspects thereof will be facilitated by reference to the accompanying drawing figures, provided for purposes of illustration only and not intended to define the scope of the invention, on which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a container employing one straight closure tab according to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a container employing two straight closure tabs according to the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, end elevational view, in cross-section, of the closure of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a form including a closure tab according to the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of parts, including a four-panel structure, that may be used to form the container of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a form including two curved closure tabs according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0018] Reference should now be made to the drawing figures on which similar or identical elements are given consistent identifying numerals throughout the various figures thereof, and on which parenthetical references to figure numbers direct the reader to the view(s) on which the element(s) being described is (are) best seen, although the element(s) may be seen on other figures also.

[0019]FIG. 1 illustrates a container, employing a closure according to the present invention, the container being indicated generally by the reference numeral 20. Container 20 includes a body portion 30 having formed therein a circular opening 32 for the placing therein of a material (not shown). In the present case, it may be assumed that the material is face and eye makeup, although such is not important to the practicing of the present invention. As shown, container 20 also includes a lid portion 40 in which is disposed a circular mirror 42.

[0020] Body portion 30 includes a foam material 50 covered by a suitable rigid or semi-rigid material 52. Material 52 may also be used to form lid portion 40 by suitable folding of the material. Closing of container 20 is effected by inserting a tab 60, rising orthogonally from the inner surface of lid 40, through an opening 62 defined in material 52, and into a slot 64 defined in foam material 50, the tab being frictionally held in the foam material. It will be understood that the degree of frictional engagement will be determined by the width of slot 64 compared to the thickness of tab 60, with a narrow slot and a relatively wide tab giving a high degree of frictional engagement, and with a wide slot and a relatively narrow tab giving a low degree of frictional engagement.

[0021] Elements of container 20 may be attached together by any suitable means, such as by heat seating or with an adhesive.

[0022]FIG. 2 illustrates another container, employing a closure according to the present invention, the container being indicated generally by the reference numeral 80. Container 80 has defined therein an open volume 90 defined partially between two longitudinally extending strips of foam material 92 and 94. Container 80 maybe formed of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material 98 which may also form lid 100 of the container. In this case, container 80 is closed by means of inserting two tabs 110 and 112, rising orthogonally from the inner surface of lid 100, through openings 114 and 116 defined through material 98, and into slots 118 and 120 defined in strips of foam material 92 and 94 where the tabs are held by frictional engagement with the slots. Again, the degree of frictional engagement will be determined by the widths of slots 118 and 120 compared to the widths of tabs 110 and 112. While not important to the practicing of the present invention, the dimensions of container 80 may be such that the container serves as a holder for calling cards. The elements of container 80 may also be attached together by any suitable means.

[0023]FIG. 3 illustrates in more detail the closure of the present invention. Here, a tab 200 depending from a lid 202 is inserted through an opening 204 and into foam material 206, slightly compressing the foam material such that the tab is frictionally held therein. Relative dimensions may be any suitable for the use to which a container may be put.

[0024]FIG. 4 illustrates a tab 220 rising orthogonally from a base member 222. The corners of tab 220 are preferably rounded, as shown, to facilitate the insertion of tab 220 into a foam material (not shown). The combination of tab 220 and base member 222 is preferably a single, rigid plastic part, manufactured by vacuum forming, although other materials and methods of manufacture are also within the contemplation of the present invention. Base member 222 may be attached to a lid by suitable folding of the material of the container of which it is a part and/or by suitable attachment means such as by heat sealing or the use of an adhesive. Base member 222 may have one or both surfaces thereof constructed of a mirrored material.

[0025]FIG. 5 illustrates parts, generally indicated by the reference numeral 300 that may be used to manufacture container 20 (FIG. 1) for use as a face and eye makeup container. Although exact dimensions are not part of the present invention, dimensions are given for a container for such use.

[0026] Parts 300 include a four-panel structure, generally indicated by the reference numeral 310, the four-panel structure having a first panel 312 with a one-inch diameter opening 314 and an approximately ⅜-inch long opening 316 defined therethrough. First panel 312 is approximately 1{fraction (13/16)} inches long by 1⅝ inches high. A second panel 320 and a third panel 330 are each approximately {fraction (1/7/8)} inch long and a fourth panel 340 is approximately 1{fraction (13/16)} inches long. Fourth panel 340 has an approximately ⅜-inch long opening 350 defined therethrough. Joining segment 350 is approximately {fraction (9/16)} inch long and joining segment 352 is approximately {fraction (5/16)} inch long. Four-panel structure is approximately 0.018- to 0.020-inch caliber cardboard.

[0027] A rigid vacuum formed plastic part 360 has an integral tab 362 rising therefrom. Part 360 is approximately 0.015- to 0.020-inch caliber. Tab 362 is approximately {fraction (3/16)}-inch high by approximately ⅜-inch long. A foam insert 370 is dimensioned the same as first panel 312 and has a one-inch diameter circle and an approximately ⅜-inch long slot die-cut therein. Foam insert 370 is approximately {fraction (3/16)} inch thick and is 6-8 pound closed cell polyethylene foam.

[0028] To assemble parts 300, foam insert 370 is affixed to first panel 312 and part 360 is affixed to fourth panel 340. Then, fourth panel 340 is affixed to third panel 330 and first panel 312 is affixed to second panel 320. Finally, second panel 320 and third panel 330 are folded 180 degrees to finish the package assembly. Affixation may be by pressure sensitive adhesive or by heat sealing a special heat seal coating applied to the back of four-panel structure 310. A living hinge may be formed by injection molded polypropylene material. The cardboard used to form four-panel structure may have a decorative surface and fewer or greater numbers of panels may be employed.

[0029]FIG. 6 illustrates that tabs need not be straight. Here, arcuate tabs 400 and 402 rise from a base member 404. It will be understood, of course, that the slots into which tabs 400 and 402 fit will be similarly shaped. Tabs of other shapes are also within the contemplation of the present invention, although straight tabs are preferred, due to simplicity.

[0030] Depending on the application, the preferable range of foam densities is on the order of about four to eight pounds.

[0031] Advantages of the closure of the present invention are that a lid employing the invention is easily and rapidly opened and closed, the closure can be operated almost an infinite number of times, construction of a container using the invention is relatively inexpensive, and the container is relatively compact.

[0032] In addition to the face and eye makeup and calling cards mentioned above, containers employing the invention can be used for holding a wide variety of objects. Among these objects are pen sets, playing cards, and coins. A number of different types of windows can be provided for viewing the contents of a container and the outer material used in constructing the container can be clear and/or decorated.

[0033] Terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and the like, when used herein, refer to the positions of the respective elements shown on the accompanying drawing figures and the present invention is not necessarily limited to such positions.

[0034] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those elucidated in, or made apparent from, the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown on the accompanying drawing figures shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

[0035] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 

1. A container with a container closure, comprising: (a) said container; (b) at least one foam insert disposed between surfaces of said container; (c) a lid; and (d) at least one tab member disposed on said lid and insertable through a slot formed in one of said surfaces into said at least one foam insert such as to close said container.
 2. A container with a container closure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said slot extends into said at least one foam insert and said at least one tab member compresses sides of said slot in said at least one foam insert to releasably grippingly hold said at least one tab member therein.
 3. A container with a container closure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said at least one tab member is straight.
 4. A container with a container closure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said at least one tab member is non-straight.
 5. A container with a container closure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said surfaces of said container, said lid, and said at least one tab member are of one-piece construction.
 6. A container with a container closure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said at least one tab member rises orthogonally from a surface of said lid.
 7. A container with a container closure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: distal corners of said at least one tab member are rounded.
 8. A container with a container closure, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said lid is hingedly attached to one of said surfaces. 